2025 WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS: #1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #6 Minnesota Timberwolves (OKC WINS 4-1)

[Sharkboy242]

Shame on me for betting on my team. Who does that?

You could have done it and not smugly proclaimed on here how confident you felt in your predictions. It reflects poorly on your ability to make any predictions lol.

We’re on a messaging board, everyone here is making and missing on a ton of predictions. Lakers were the favorites going into the series and the public was also on the Clippers a day after the lines opened. You act like I made some crazy bold prediction when in fact I was very much in alignment with the public. End of the day **** didn’t work out but that’s how gambling works.

I’m pretty certain everyone here also sided with the Lakers and Clippers before the series started…guess this is just a board full of morons. You’re probably the only smart one here, I’m sure you predicted the Nuggets were going to choke in a game 7 for the second straight year.

I bet on the Nuggets against the Thunder in round 2, not because I believed the Nuggets could beat them but rather because the payout was insane. Seemed pretty lopsided, and I was almost right. I didn’t actually think we would win the series though.

Den-Clippers was a tossup but i knew we had a good chance.

Lakers-Wolves I was pretty confident the Wolves would win. Lots of Lakers derangement syndrome from the media in this one so i guess i can’t blame you for being a sheep

[Castle Black]

Chet mocks Ant on his IG story. Original clip was from a postgame interview back in February after Ant posterized him.

Read on Twitter

[sp6r=underrated]

Not a 51+ win team in sight and they have the golden whistle with multiple all stars.

Easiest road to the finals in the 2020s

The Thunder's road to the finals has probably been the toughest of any team in recent history if you take into account they came in as the first seed. The only teams ahead of them screwed around in the RS and came in as a low seed (4, 5 and 5).

MOV is a better indicator of team quality than record. And MOV adjusted for Strength of Schedule is a better indicator of team quality than MOV.

Average road to finals difficulty by SRS since 2016:

Easiest

Code: Select all

Season   Team      Average SRS of Opponents
2023   Nuggets        0.76
2020   Lakers         1.62
2017   Cavs           1.75
2024   Celtics        1.94
2021   Bucks          2.11


Hardest

Code: Select all

Season   Team       Average SRS of Opponent
2024   Mavericks       6.07
2020   Heat            5.62
2025   Pacers          4.84
2025   Thunder         4.64
2021   Suns            4.54

[Special_Puppy]

Not a 51+ win team in sight and they have the golden whistle with multiple all stars.

Easiest road to the finals in the 2020s

The Thunder's road to the finals has probably been the toughest of any team in recent history if you take into account they came in as the first seed. The only teams ahead of them screwed around in the RS and came in as a low seed (4, 5 and 5).

MOV is a better indicator of team quality than record. And MOV adjusted for Strength of Schedule is a better indicator of team quality than MOV.

Average road to finals difficulty by SRS since 2016:

Easiest

Code: Select all

Season   Team      Average SRS of Opponents
2023   Nuggets        0.76
2020   Lakers         1.62
2017   Cavs           1.75
2024   Celtics        1.94
2021   Bucks          2.11


Hardest

Code: Select all

Season   Team       Average SRS of Opponent
2024   Mavericks       6.07
2020   Heat            5.62
2025   Pacers          4.84
2025   Thunder         4.64
2021   Suns            4.54

Grizzlies having a +4.8 SRS is hilarious. Reminds me of the +4.5 SRS Pelicans team last year.

[sp6r=underrated]

Not a 51+ win team in sight and they have the golden whistle with multiple all stars.

Easiest road to the finals in the 2020s

The Thunder's road to the finals has probably been the toughest of any team in recent history if you take into account they came in as the first seed. The only teams ahead of them screwed around in the RS and came in as a low seed (4, 5 and 5).

MOV is a better indicator of team quality than record. And MOV adjusted for Strength of Schedule is a better indicator of team quality than MOV.

Average road to finals difficulty by SRS since 2016:

Easiest

Code: Select all

Season   Team      Average SRS of Opponents
2023   Nuggets        0.76
2020   Lakers         1.62
2017   Cavs           1.75
2024   Celtics        1.94
2021   Bucks          2.11


Hardest

Code: Select all

Season   Team       Average SRS of Opponent
2024   Mavericks       6.07
2020   Heat            5.62
2025   Pacers          4.84
2025   Thunder         4.64
2021   Suns            4.54

Grizzlies having a +4.8 SRS is hilarious. Reminds me of the +4.5 SRS Pelicans team last year.

I agree there SRS is inflated by the early season but they are still better than the typical 8 seed.

[TinmanZBoy]

This OKC team is scary

[TinmanZBoy]

That OKC team with three future MVPs never win it, this OKC team with only one MVP will win it
Defense wins championships… Nico is right

[Special_Puppy]

The Thunder's road to the finals has probably been the toughest of any team in recent history if you take into account they came in as the first seed. The only teams ahead of them screwed around in the RS and came in as a low seed (4, 5 and 5).

MOV is a better indicator of team quality than record. And MOV adjusted for Strength of Schedule is a better indicator of team quality than MOV.

Average road to finals difficulty by SRS since 2016:

Easiest

Code: Select all

Season   Team      Average SRS of Opponents
2023   Nuggets        0.76
2020   Lakers         1.62
2017   Cavs           1.75
2024   Celtics        1.94
2021   Bucks          2.11


Hardest

Code: Select all

Season   Team       Average SRS of Opponent
2024   Mavericks       6.07
2020   Heat            5.62
2025   Pacers          4.84
2025   Thunder         4.64
2021   Suns            4.54

Grizzlies having a +4.8 SRS is hilarious. Reminds me of the +4.5 SRS Pelicans team last year.

I agree there SRS is inflated by the early season but they are still better than the typical 8 seed.

Oh yeah I wasn't making a comment about if OKC's path was difficult or easy. I think it was kinda hard considering they basically had no easy opponents.

[SpurNani]

Not a 51+ win team in sight and they have the golden whistle with multiple all stars.

Easiest road to the finals in the 2020s

The Thunder's road to the finals has probably been the toughest of any team in recent history if you take into account they came in as the first seed. The only teams ahead of them screwed around in the RS and came in as a low seed (4, 5 and 5).

MOV is a better indicator of team quality than record. And MOV adjusted for Strength of Schedule is a better indicator of team quality than MOV.

Average road to finals difficulty by SRS since 2016:

Easiest

Code: Select all

Season   Team      Average SRS of Opponents
2023   Nuggets        0.76
2020   Lakers         1.62
2017   Cavs           1.75
2024   Celtics        1.94
2021   Bucks          2.11


Hardest

Code: Select all

Season   Team       Average SRS of Opponent
2024   Mavericks       6.07
2020   Heat            5.62
2025   Pacers          4.84
2025   Thunder         4.64
2021   Suns            4.54

Good to see numbers back up what I've been preaching. Earlier today a Denver fan called the 2023 Lakers stacked...

[Twinkie defense]

This is horrible - would have been a much better, more competitive matchup vs. Warriors if Stephen Curry wasn't injured.

Two Ifs there so no the Warriors would have been swept by OKC.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Well Wolves were 3-6 vs. OKC and Warriors were 2-1 so I think that pretty much says it all! Better luck next time!

[Twinkie defense]

This is horrible - would have been a much better, more competitive matchup vs. Warriors if Stephen Curry wasn't injured.

I still think they would've got smoked, they're too old now to keep up with the pace & intensity OKC plays at.

GSW had tough fights with HOU and there's no one on their roster that sniffs SGA, JDub & Chet would be in argument for HOU's best player if they were on the Rockets nvm the Thunder have WAAAAAY more shooting. Not to mention Playoff Jimmy is a thing of the past.

Warriors had a winning record vs. OKC this season, and that was without Playoff Jimmy!

T-Wolves are a fluke, they only got as far as they did because Lakers inexplicably gave up their defensive centerpiece and Stephen Curry pulled his hammy.

Don't get me wrong, OKC is an excellent - if young/untested - team. But remember, Denver took them to seven games. The only reason they look like world-beaters right now is they came up against a flawed T-Wolves team. They will have a tougher time vs. the Pacers.

[RB34]

That OKC team with three future MVPs never win it, this OKC team with only one MVP will win it
Defense wins championships… Nico is right

This Thunder team vs that Heatles team would be interesting.

[Special_Puppy]

This is horrible - would have been a much better, more competitive matchup vs. Warriors if Stephen Curry wasn't injured.

I still think they would've got smoked, they're too old now to keep up with the pace & intensity OKC plays at.

GSW had tough fights with HOU and there's no one on their roster that sniffs SGA, JDub & Chet would be in argument for HOU's best player if they were on the Rockets nvm the Thunder have WAAAAAY more shooting. Not to mention Playoff Jimmy is a thing of the past.

Warriors had a winning record vs. OKC this season, and that was without Playoff Jimmy!

T-Wolves are a fluke, they only got as far as they did because Lakers inexplicably gave up their defensive centerpiece and Stephen Curry pulled his hammy.

Don't get me wrong, OKC is an excellent - if young/untested - team. But remember, Denver took them to seven games. The only reason they look like world-beaters right now is they came up against a flawed T-Wolves team. They will have a tougher time vs. the Pacers.

Going to stick my neck out and say OKC beats the Pacers in 5

[CobraCommander]

I still think they would've got smoked, they're too old now to keep up with the pace & intensity OKC plays at.

GSW had tough fights with HOU and there's no one on their roster that sniffs SGA, JDub & Chet would be in argument for HOU's best player if they were on the Rockets nvm the Thunder have WAAAAAY more shooting. Not to mention Playoff Jimmy is a thing of the past.

Warriors had a winning record vs. OKC this season, and that was without Playoff Jimmy!

T-Wolves are a fluke, they only got as far as they did because Lakers inexplicably gave up their defensive centerpiece and Stephen Curry pulled his hammy.

Don't get me wrong, OKC is an excellent - if young/untested - team. But remember, Denver took them to seven games. The only reason they look like world-beaters right now is they came up against a flawed T-Wolves team. They will have a tougher time vs. the Pacers.

Going to stick my neck out and say OKC beats the Pacers in 5

1. 2015–16 Golden State Warriors – 73–9
2. 1995–96 Chicago Bulls – 72–10
3. 1996–97 Chicago Bulls – 69–13
4. 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers – 69–13
5. 2024–25 Oklahoma City Thunder – 68–14
6. 1991–92 Chicago Bulls – 67–15
7. 1999–00 Los Angeles Lakers – 67–15
8. 2006–07 Dallas Mavericks – 67–15
9. 2015–16 San Antonio Spurs – 67–15
10. 1985–86 Boston Celtics – 67–15

If OKC wins it - this team will be better than any champship team that didn’t have Jordan, Jerry West or Wilt on it…

Based on record

[Special_Puppy]

Warriors had a winning record vs. OKC this season, and that was without Playoff Jimmy!

T-Wolves are a fluke, they only got as far as they did because Lakers inexplicably gave up their defensive centerpiece and Stephen Curry pulled his hammy.

Don't get me wrong, OKC is an excellent - if young/untested - team. But remember, Denver took them to seven games. The only reason they look like world-beaters right now is they came up against a flawed T-Wolves team. They will have a tougher time vs. the Pacers.

Going to stick my neck out and say OKC beats the Pacers in 5

1. 2015–16 Golden State Warriors – 73–9
2. 1995–96 Chicago Bulls – 72–10
3. 1996–97 Chicago Bulls – 69–13
4. 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers – 69–13
5. 2024–25 Oklahoma City Thunder – 68–14
6. 1991–92 Chicago Bulls – 67–15
7. 1999–00 Los Angeles Lakers – 67–15
8. 2006–07 Dallas Mavericks – 67–15
9. 2015–16 San Antonio Spurs – 67–15
10. 1985–86 Boston Celtics – 67–15

If OKC wins it - this team will be better than any champship team that didn’t have Jordan, Jerry West or Wilt on it…

Based on record

Think most people will pick the 2017 Warriors still based off the playoffs

[Enso]

lol you guys hear the fan tell mathurin to eat chit

[lethalizer]

This is horrible - would have been a much better, more competitive matchup vs. Warriors if Stephen Curry wasn't injured.

I still think they would've got smoked, they're too old now to keep up with the pace & intensity OKC plays at.

GSW had tough fights with HOU and there's no one on their roster that sniffs SGA, JDub & Chet would be in argument for HOU's best player if they were on the Rockets nvm the Thunder have WAAAAAY more shooting. Not to mention Playoff Jimmy is a thing of the past.

Warriors had a winning record vs. OKC this season, and that was without Playoff Jimmy!

T-Wolves are a fluke, they only got as far as they did because Lakers inexplicably gave up their defensive centerpiece and Stephen Curry pulled his hammy.

Don't get me wrong, OKC is an excellent - if young/untested - team. But remember, Denver took them to seven games. The only reason they look like world-beaters right now is they came up against a flawed T-Wolves team. They will have a tougher time vs. the Pacers.

if we're going by regular season, important to remember that Chet hasn't played a single minute against the Warriors this season.

I actually wanted to face the Warriors this postseason, shame it couldn't happen.

[TheGOATRises007]

This is horrible - would have been a much better, more competitive matchup vs. Warriors if Stephen Curry wasn't injured.

I still think they would've got smoked, they're too old now to keep up with the pace & intensity OKC plays at.

GSW had tough fights with HOU and there's no one on their roster that sniffs SGA, JDub & Chet would be in argument for HOU's best player if they were on the Rockets nvm the Thunder have WAAAAAY more shooting. Not to mention Playoff Jimmy is a thing of the past.

Don't get me wrong, OKC is an excellent - if young/untested - team. But remember, Denver took them to seven games.

The MOV for that series isn't really indicative of a 7 game series.

OKC outscored Denver by almost 10 per game. They were far more dominant than Denver in that series.

[Rdude22]

Warriors had a winning record vs. OKC this season, and that was without Playoff Jimmy!

T-Wolves are a fluke, they only got as far as they did because Lakers inexplicably gave up their defensive centerpiece and Stephen Curry pulled his hammy.

Don't get me wrong, OKC is an excellent - if young/untested - team. But remember, Denver took them to seven games. The only reason they look like world-beaters right now is they came up against a flawed T-Wolves team. They will have a tougher time vs. the Pacers.

Going to stick my neck out and say OKC beats the Pacers in 5

1. 2015–16 Golden State Warriors – 73–9
2. 1995–96 Chicago Bulls – 72–10
3. 1996–97 Chicago Bulls – 69–13
4. 1971–72 Los Angeles Lakers – 69–13
5. 2024–25 Oklahoma City Thunder – 68–14
6. 1991–92 Chicago Bulls – 67–15
7. 1999–00 Los Angeles Lakers – 67–15
8. 2006–07 Dallas Mavericks – 67–15
9. 2015–16 San Antonio Spurs – 67–15
10. 1985–86 Boston Celtics – 67–15

If OKC wins it - this team will be better than any champship team that didn’t have Jordan, Jerry West or Wilt on it…

Based on record

Yup, and ppl also need to be consistent when putting the microscope on any imperfections OKC may have had (i.e. 7 gm vs Jokic) while neglecting to do the same with past teams (i.e. 67-win ‘15 GSW struggle winning vs a crippled Cavs)

‘08 Celtics are highly regarded yet went 7 vs a 39-win Hawks. ‘17 GSW are considered the GOAT team but were down 20 when Kawhi got zaza’d, then repeated after CP3 blew out his hammy.

Even the ‘14 Spurs went 7-games with Dallas in round 1. My point being nearly every team can be picked apart